9 running events in Rock Hill, South Carolina

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The Reindeer Games Just Got Real

The summer heat meets holiday cheer at the Rudolph’s Revenge 5K!

Join us July 18th at 8:30 PM on the Northwestern High School XC Course for a night run lit by glow sticks, Christmas lights, and competitive energy.

Run through twinkling trails and see if you can outrun Rudolph himself. Whether you’re racing for glory or just running for the glow, this is one you don’t want to miss!

Race Highlights:

🎄 Night course lit with glow sticks & Christmas lights

🦌 Christmas costumes encouraged

🏆 Awards for top finishers

🔥 Post-race music, snacks

Race Information

Rudolph's Revenge is a fundraiser to benefit The Northwestern Cross Country Team.

Race Description

The 5K will be held on Northwestern High School’s Campus and will contain elements of the Cross Country Course. The course is run primarily on grass, but will be on the track for a short part of each loop.

The 5K race is for all ages and will be chip timed. Results will be posted on RunSignUp following the event.

The tentative start time for the 5k is 8:30pm. THIS WILL BE A NIGHT RACE! We will have a water station on the course were runners can access water just past the halfway point.

Awards

Top 3 males and top 3 females in the 5K will receive awards. Currently, age group awards will be given to the top finisher in the following categories: 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-99. Depending on how many runners we have register, we may go 3 deep in the age group awards. No double dipping with awards. In other words, if you are one of the top 3 overall finishers, you will not be eligible for an age group award.

Location and Course Map

The address for Northwestern High School is 2503 W Main St, Rock Hill, SC 29732. Turn into the entrance at the stoplight between The ATC and Northwestern High School. Follow the entrance road to the end and turn right into the parking lot to park. Follow the covered walkway behind Northwestern to the start line. Packet pickup will be in the rear of the school near the start/finish line. See course and facility map below.

5K Course Map (coming soon)

Map of Event Venue (coming soon)

Race Day Expo

We will provide some snacks and water for after the race. The Charlotte Running Company will be on hand selling shirts, hoodies, Goodrs, spikes, etc. We will have sponsors on site as well as a food truck. We will announce those as soon as they are confirmed.

T-Shirts

5K runners that register by July 5th will receive a t-shirt. Runners that register after that date will receive a shirt while supplies last. We cannot guarantee a t-shirt to runners that register after the July 5th.

Registration Information

Race Day registration will take place until 8:00pm on the evening of the race.

Packet pickup and late/race day registration

Early packet pickup will take place at the Charlotte Running Company in Riverwalk on Friday July 17th from 2:30pm until 6:30pm.

Race day registration and packet pickup will take place from 7:00pm 8:00pm.

We can accept credit card, cash or check for registrations taking place on the morning of the race and cash or check on the Friday before the race.

Make checks out to the Northwestern Trojan Club.

The Rocktoberfest Half Marathon and 5K presented by Riverwalk is a running event that takes place in Rock Hill, South Carolina. It is a fun-filled event that combines running with music and beer. The event includes a half marathon and a 5K race, both of which take place in the scenic Riverwalk neighborhoods of Rock Hill.

To keep the runners motivated, there is a rock band performing live music near the start/finish line. After the race, participants can enjoy an Octoberfest beer garden where they can celebrate their achievements with friends and family. The beer garden will feature a variety of beers, including some of the best local brews.

This event is not just about the race; it's a full-day celebration of fitness, music, and good times. Whether you are a seasoned runner or a beginner, the Rocktoberfest Half Marathon and 5K presented by Riverwalk is an excellent opportunity to have fun and experience the unique atmosphere of the Riverwalk area of Rock Hill. It's beautiful!!!

The Rocktoberfest Half Marathon & 5K presented by Riverwalk will be capped for the 2025 event. There will be NO RACE DAY Registration so be sure to sign up early! ALL registration ends October 11th, 2025 unless we sell out before hand.

If you're a runner, this is the one to run! ROCK ON!!!

RACE START TIMES:

The Rocktoberfest Half Marathon & 5K, starts and finishes at the Rock Hill Criterium Course

Saturday, October 11th, 2025

8:00 AM – HALF MARATHON

8:15 AM - 5K

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM AWARDS CEREMONY

10:30-1:30 - AFTER PARTY in River District

LOCATION:

Rock Hill Criterium Course

1307 Riverwalk Parkway

Rock Hill, South Carolina 29730

What do I get for participating?

Besides running in one of the most beautiful courses;

• Short or Long Sleeve Tech Shirt (Half Marathoner & 5K)

• Incredible Finisher Medals (Half Marathoner & 5K)

• Rock Music

• Beer Garden Ticket

PACKET PICK UP:

Friday, October 10th, 2025; 2:00PM – 7:00PM

Charlotte Running Company

652 Herrons Ferry Rd, # 101

Rock Hill, South Carolina 29730

For more information on Packet Pick Up, click HERE

WILL CALL PACKET PICK UP (for those who purchased it only)

Race Day - 7:00am-7:45am

COURSE:

The 13.1 Rocktoberfest Half Marathon and 5K begins and ends at the Criterium Course in Rock Hill, SC Riverwalk neighborhood. Groupies (runners) will get to run on the Criterium Course, head through the brand new beautiful Riverwalk neighborhood and eventually onto the paved Piedmont Medical Center Trail that runs along the river. There is a small 400 meter section of gravel road after mile 6 but you will soon enter the paved greenway again before you turn around and come back.

Per the City of Rock Hill, they will not be able to close the roads just for runners so they are asking that when running in the Riverwalk neighborhood that we use the bike path and sidewalks. The course will be marked.

COURSE MAP

PACERS:

We are excited to have the Charlotte Running Club Pace Team. Pace groups will be 1:35, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:45, and 3:00. You do not need to sign up for a group, just show up to the start line and look for the pacer signs. If you would like to become a Pacer please email [email protected]

TIMING:

We have partnered with Start 2 Finish. All Half Marathon and 5K participants will be timed and will receive their disposable timing tag during packet pick up. If you have questions with results, please email [email protected]

T-SHIRTS:

Every participant will be guaranteed a runners tech shirt that signed up before September 20th. You will have a choice between a Unisex Short or Long sleeve shirt. Shirts are ordered based on the sizes indicated during online registration.

NO SWITCHING SIZES – NO EXCEPTIONS!

VIRTUAL RUNNER:

Couldn’t get into the race this year or you couldn’t make it to the race? Maybe the time limit for the course closure is an issue for you. We have you covered…VIRTUAL RUNNER! See Details HERE

DIVISIONS:

Overall, Masters, 12 and under, 13-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+.

AWARDS:

We want to support the local businesses for awards. Thank you to the Charlotte Running Company for the gift certificates. Top 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Males and Females Overall and 1st in all divisions will receive awards.

Claiming Awards:

Awards will be given and called out during the awards ceremony around 10:30am. We do NOT ship unclaimed awards.

NOTE: Sisu Events reserves the right to add/delete categories and awards prior to race based on participation.

REFUNDS AND TRANSFERS:

Registration fees are non-refundable. Event registrations are non-transferable between individuals, events, or years. There will be no deferrals. You will be able to transfer into the Virtual Event up until Friday, October 5th, 2024.

TIME LIMITS:

There is a STRICT 3:00 hour time limit in the Half Marathon and a 1 hr time limit in the 5K. In order to comply with the agreement with the City of Rock Hill, streets comprising the route must be reopened to vehicular traffic on a set schedule. If you feel unsafe or the police have to leave their post for an emergency, you will be allowed to run on the sidewalks to finish. Use your own judgement and be safe.

DOGS AND STROLLERS:

While we LOVE dogs and LOVE kids, for your safety Dogs and Strollers will NOT be allowed for this event.

MEDICAL/FIRST AID:

Should you need medical attention at the finish line, let a volunteer know and you’ll be escorted to the ambulance located very close to the finish line. Announcements can always be made at the DJ booth as well. Any life threatening problems should call 911.

WATER STOPS/PORTOS:

Water and portos will be provided throughout the run roughly every 2 miles. It gets tricky with the greenway.

Water Stop #1 - Mile 2.75

Water Stop #2 - Mile 5.25

Water Stop #3 - Mile 6.7

Water Stop #4 - Mile 8.27

Water Stop #5 - Mile 10.7

Water Stop #6 - Mile 12

We will provide a water bottle at the finish line AFTER the race. DO NOT get a water bottle before the race or there will not be any available to the rest of the runners.

There will be restrooms at the Criterium Course facility near the start/finish area.

WEATHER POLICY:

Races are held, rain or shine, unless Sisu Events determines that conditions are too dangerous. This will be based on a prudent decision made on race weekend or race day by Sisu Events and local law enforcement officials. If the race is canceled due to inclement weather, there will be neither refunds nor transfers. This position is consistent with USA Track & Field recommendations and with the protocol of sharing the risks associated with the sport of running. In the event of inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, Sisu Events reserves the right to alter, cancel or eliminate any/all portions of the race.

PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION:

This race is convenient for people in town and out of town...it's right off I77.

• 25 Minutes from Downtown Charlotte

• 40 Minutes from Huntersville, NC

• 1hr 10 minutes from Downtown Columbia, SC

• 1hr 45 minutes from Downtown Greenville, SC

• 1hr 45 minutes from Downtown Greensboro, NC

There are a large amount of parking spaces in and around the Criterium Course. We of course encourage you to carpool.

POST RACE EXPO:

DO NOT STOP AT FINISH LINE - Keep moving off the track and into the Beer Garden

Finish Festival will be in the Criterium Course from 7:30 AM to 12:00 noon. Join us for entertainment, vendors, food (pre-packaged food for sanitary purposes), refreshments and fun to be had by all!

ID's will be required to enter the beer garden and receive a donated beer.

ENTERTAINMENT:

We are excited to have LIVE ROCK music at the Start and Finish line from Rock Onyx to energize the runners and maintain the fun!

NEW FOR 2025!

• We will reroute the 1 Mile Fun Run so that it shares the same start and finish as the 5K

• We are going to have an alumni division for Northwestern graduates. We will have awards for the overall male and female finishers in the alumni division. Depending on how many entries we have we may go up to 3 deep in the overall awards.

Race Information

The Northwestern Turkey Trot is a fundraiser to benefit The Northwestern Cross Country team and The Trojan Club. The Trojan Club supports hundreds of student-athletes in all sports at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, SC.

Race Description

Both the 5K and the 1 Mile Fun Run will be held on Northwestern High School’s Cross Country Course. The course is run primarily on grass and covers parts of the ATC, Northwestern, and Rawlinson Road Middle School. The 1 Mile Fun Run will roughly cover the first and last half mile of the cross country course. The fun run will share the same start/finish as the 5K.

The 5K race is for all ages and will be chip timed. Results will be posted on RunSignUp following the event.

The 1 Mile Fun Run is designed for kids 12 and under who are not quite ready to tackle a 5K. Entry to the Fun Run does NOT include a T-shirt. If you wish to purchase a shirt at checkout, you may do so for an additional fee. Parents wishing to run with their kid(s) do not have to register unless they would like to purchase a race shirt.

Start time for the 5k is at 9:30am. We will have a water station on the course were runners can access water just past the halfway point.

Start time for the fun run is at 9:00am. Again, parents may run with your child for free, unless you wish to would like to register to purchase a shirt.

Awards

Top 3 males and top 3 females in the 5K will receive awards. The overall male and female winners names will be included on a plaque that will be displayed in the Athletic Office. Age group awards will be given to the top 3 in the following categories for the 5K: 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-99.

All finishers of the kids 1 mile fun run will receive a medal as they cross the finish line.

Location and Course Map

The address for Northwestern High School is 2503 W Main St, Rock Hill, SC 29732. Turn into the entrance at the stoplight between The ATC and Northwestern High School. Follow the entrance road to the end and turn right into the parking lot to park. Follow the covered walkway behind Northwestern to the start line. Packet pickup will be in the rear of the school near the start/finish line. See course and facility map below.

5K Course Map

1 Mile Fun Run Course Map

Map of Event Venue (Map of the Event Venue. Shows Parking, bathrooms, start/finish lines, registration and check in)

Race Day Expo

We will provide some snacks and water for after the race. In addition, several of our sponsors and vendors will have booths set up in the expo area near the finish line. The Charlotte Running Company will be on hand selling shirts, hoodies, Goodrs, spikes, etc. We will have sponsors on site as well as a food truck. We will announce those as soon as they are confirmed.

T-Shirts

5K runners that register by November 9th will receive a t-shirt. Runners that register after that date will receive a shirt while supplies last. We cannot guarantee a t-shirt to runners that register after the November 9th deadline.

Registration Information

Registration will take place until 8:45am the morning of the race.

Packet pickup and late/race day registration

Early packet pickup and late registration will take place at the Charlotte Running Company in Riverwalk on Friday November 21nd from 2:30pm until 6:30pm.

Race day registration and packet pickup will take place from 8am to 8:45am.

We can accept credit card, cash or check for registrations taking place on the morning of the race and cash or check on the Friday before the race.

Make checks out to the Northwestern Trojan Club.

Canned Food Drive

The Trojan Council and Beta Club are sponsoring a school-wide canned food drive to help our community heading into the holiday season. Please bring nonperishable food items such as canned vegetables, boxes of pasta, and packages of tuna to help support our community.